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Techniques for Collectorscleaning druzy in tiny geodes
1st Mar 2007 07:16 UTCAnonymous User
i'm working with small geodes from mexico. i was sanding the edges and some of the dirt from the wet sandpaper got inside and i wanted to check the easiest safe way to clean this. these are very small and i used a toothbrush and cleaned them somewhat but the crystals are micro and when i look with a magnifyer i can see that they could be cleaned better.
without using any special chemicals, how can i get this druzy clean?
water will not harm or erode the crystals will it?
thanks for any easy tips
1st Mar 2007 08:21 UTCJenna Mast
That may not be dirt you are trying to scrub out though. It may be staining from something if the geode had a crack or hole in it, or it could simply be the color of the crystals themself. Mexican geodes often contain smokey quartz, which is dark in appearance, or amethyst, citrine, or ametrine (a combination of amethyst and citrine). There may also be inclusions. Some Mexican geodes will also contain other minerals such as tourmaline...typically the black variety. All of these can be potentially mistaken for "dirt".
If it is dirt then try using something with super fine bristles. Toothbrush bristles are often too large to get between the cracks. If it's a hearty geode, and not fragil, you may try a water pic. A lot of people are fond of ultrasonic cleaners but you'd want to make sure your geode isn't too fragil to put in one.
1st Mar 2007 16:45 UTCAlan Plante
Have you tried - or thought of trying - an ultrasonic cleaner? They are about the best thing going for cleaning dirt and debris out of nooks and crannies in intricate specimens. If you do try one, try it on one of your less-prized pieces first - make sure it doesn't do any damage to anything before you start working on cleaning your better specimens.
I'll also "second" Jenna's recommendation for using distilled water. This can be pretty important - probably even more-so when using an ultrasonic cleaner.
Regards
Alan
1st Mar 2007 17:50 UTCEverett Harrington Expert
I just want to add that in Mexican geodes, I have never heard of tourmaline being found in them. Per Min Rec Sept/Oct 1972 minerals found in these geodes are quartz, amethyst, calcite, hematite, todorokite, goethite, apatite, kaolinite, gypsum, dahillite, birnessite, chalcedony, cryptomelane, opal, pyrolusite, ramsdellite, and rancieite. This was based on a scanning electron microscopy study by Robert Finkelman, John Matzko, Ching Chang Woo, John white, and Walter Brown.
Enjoy
Everett
3rd Mar 2007 08:27 UTCAnonymous User
theses are tiny little things but they have beautiful druzy inside. i was using polishing powder to get the edges nice, but some of the residue from the wet mixture got inside and i can't get it completely clean. i'm just using water and a very fine little brush.
is there any household item that i can use to rinse them and leave them sparkling? i'm making a piece of jewelry with one and i want it to sparkle good, but i'm not having any luck with just water.
i don't have a water pick and these are so small that i would be kind of difficult. just wondering if anything would work by just rinsing?
thanks for any suggestions,
airwreck
3rd Mar 2007 14:31 UTCJenna Mast
My apologies, I was thinking of the Ocho (occo, oco, etc) geodes when I mentioned tourmaline. These are from Brazil but I sometimes see them labeled as from Mexico. They're the first thing I think of when people mention tiny druzey geodes:-)
Thankyou for the correction.
3rd Mar 2007 17:01 UTCRobert Knox
Bob
3rd Mar 2007 17:05 UTCEverett Harrington Expert
This was more of a helping hand than a correction. I do not know nearly as much about minerals as I'd like to. I guess that would be all of us though. Las Choyas and Trancas geodes are some of the most amazing geodes on this planet. Something like 17 different rare Mn oxides are found in them. Geodes are my specialty!!
3rd Mar 2007 18:21 UTCJenna Mast
I have a passion for geodes as well! I like the element of surprise I guess. I appriciate the wealth of knowledge that can be found here, in fact the reason I began posting on mindat is because I recently expanded my collection (didn't get richer, just lucky!). The specimens did not come with any information and I quickly found my knowledge lacking in a few areas. Anyway thanks again for your input. Correction or not it is always appriciated.
3rd Mar 2007 21:07 UTCEverett Harrington Expert
I'm holding the McRocks 4th annual geode hunt the last weekend of march in Keokuk, if your interested in coming please check the mssg boards over at mcrocks.com.
KOR
Everertt
3rd Mar 2007 21:07 UTCEverett Harrington Expert
LOL
3rd Mar 2007 21:18 UTCAnonymous User
maybe i will try the vinegar?
any other options?
lemon juice.. citric acid? harmful?
thanks again
3rd Mar 2007 21:24 UTCEverett Harrington Expert
a high pressure spray will be your best bet to clean out cerium oxide. Your not going to find an acid that will disolve cerium. You can make your own sprayer by buying a hose end cap and drilling a small hole in it create pressure enough to clean out the cerium.
KOR
Everett
17th Jun 2007 16:11 UTCRock Currier Expert
A few seconds blast from a little hand held fabric gun, the kind used by your local dry cleaner will almost certainly leave the drusy quartz crystals in your geode sparkling. You might even talk your local drycleaner into letting you use it. You probably could even use what ever solvent he has in it to clean your geode as well as water.
Rock
30th Jan 2008 02:51 UTCAnonymous User
Question to go along with Erichs...
When there are calcite formations in geodes.... are there any type of cleaners that you should steer clear of????
I wouldnt want to destroy the calcite formations..
Any ideas or info?
mike
30th Jan 2008 14:04 UTCDavid Von Bargen Manager
2nd Feb 2008 02:39 UTCAnonymous User
4th Feb 2008 21:09 UTCSal Noeldner
Sal
15th Feb 2008 17:24 UTCDonald Peck
Sal, I am going to have to go looking for one of those Shark steam cleaners!
2nd Dec 2012 22:43 UTCKathyM
What caused this and how can I get them clean? Soak in vinegar?
2nd Dec 2012 23:04 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
Don S.
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Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 28, 2024 10:24:58